Aster Cellophane Bee
Colletes compactus
This record describes Colletes compactus (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Colletes compactus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colletes_compactus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Colletidae (Cellophane, Plasterer, Masked, and Allied Bees)
- Subfamily
- Diphaglossinae
- Genus
- Colletes (Cellophane bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Canada: All of the southern portion. United Sates: Across much of the US, particularly the Northeast and Southwest. Mexico: Durango and Zacatecas Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
mid-July to mid-November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Parasitized by Epeolus pusillus .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colletes compactus Cresson, 1868
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes compactus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Aster Cellophane Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Aster Cellophane Bee
How big is Aster Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 13 mm; wing length 9 mm. |
| Male | Length 11 mm; wing length 8 mm. |
Where is Aster Cellophane Bee found?
Range: Canada: All of the southern portion. United Sates: Across much of the US, particularly the Northeast and Southwest. Mexico: Durango and Zacatecas Discover Life Map
What does Aster Cellophane Bee eat?
The diet of the Aster Cellophane Bee includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Aster Cellophane Bee active?
Aster Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - mid-July to mid-November.
What is the life cycle of a Aster Cellophane Bee?
Parasitized by Epeolus pusillus .